Search Legislation

Directive 2006/126/EC of the European Parliament and of the CouncilShow full title

Directive 2006/126/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 December 2006 on driving licences (Recast) (Text with EEA relevance)

 Help about what version

What Version

Close

This is a legislation item that originated from the EU

After exit day there will be three versions of this legislation to consult for different purposes. The legislation.gov.uk version is the version that applies in the UK. The EU Version currently on EUR-lex is the version that currently applies in the EU i.e you may need this if you operate a business in the EU.

The web archive version is the official version of this legislation item as it stood on exit day before being published to legislation.gov.uk and any subsequent UK changes and effects applied. The web archive also captured associated case law and other language formats from EUR-Lex.

Status:

EU Directives are being published on this site to aid cross referencing from UK legislation. After IP completion day (31 December 2020 11pm) no further amendments will be applied to this version.

  1. Introductory Text

  2. Article 1.Model licence

  3. Article 2.Mutual recognition

  4. Article 3.Anti-forgery measures

  5. Article 4.Categories, definitions and minimum ages

  6. Article 5.Conditions and restrictions

  7. Article 6.Staging and equivalences between categories

  8. Article 7.Issue, validity and renewal

  9. Article 8.Adaptation to scientific and technical progress

  10. Article 9.Committee

  11. Article 10.Examiners

  12. Article 11.Various provisions concerning the exchange, the withdrawal, the replacement and the recognition of driving licences

  13. Article 12.Normal residence

  14. Article 13.Equivalences between non-Community model licences

  15. Article 14.Review

  16. Article 15. Mutual Assistance

  17. Article 16.Transposition

  18. Article 17.Repeal

  19. Article 18.Entry into force

  20. Article 19.Addressees

    1. ANNEX I

      PROVISIONS CONCERNING THE EUROPEAN UNION MODEL DRIVING LICENCE

      1. 1. The physical characteristics of the card of the European Union...

      2. 2. Physical security of driving licences

      3. 3. The licence shall have two sides.

      4. 4. Special provisions

      5. EUROPEAN UNION MODEL DRIVING LICENCE

        1. Page 1

        2. Page 2

      6. SPECIMEN MODEL LICENCE

        1. BELGIAN LICENCE (for information)

    2. ANNEX II

      1. I. MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR DRIVING TESTS

        1. A. THEORY TEST

          1. 1. Form

          2. 2. Content of the theory test concerning all vehicle categories

            1. 2.1. Questions must be asked on each of the points listed...

          3. 3. Specific provisions concerning categories A1, A2 and A

            1. 3.1. Compulsory check of general knowledge on:

          4. 4. Specific provisions concerning categories C, CE, C1, C1E, D, DE,...

            1. 4.1. Compulsory check of general knowledge on:

            2. 4.1a. Member States may exempt applicants to a licence for a...

            3. 4.2. Compulsory check of general knowledge on the following additional provisions...

        2. B. TEST OF SKILLS AND BEHAVIOUR

          1. 5. The vehicle and its equipment

            1. 5.1. Vehicle transmission

              1. 5.1.1. The driving of a vehicle with manual transmission shall be...

              2. 5.1.2. Vehicles that do not meet the criteria laid down in...

              3. 5.1.3. Specific provisions concerning vehicles of category BE, C, CE, C1,...

            2. 5.2. The vehicles used in tests of skills and behaviour shall...

              1. Category A1:

              2. Category A2:

              3. Category A:

              4. Category B:

              5. Category BE:

              6. Category B1:

              7. Category C:

              8. Category CE:

              9. Category C1:

              10. Category C1E:

              11. Category D:

              12. Category DE:

              13. Category D1:

              14. Category D1E:

          2. 6. Skills and behaviour to be tested concerning categories A1, A2...

            1. 6.1. Preparation and technical check of the vehicle with a bearing...

            2. 6.2. Special manoeuvres to be tested with a bearing on road...

              1. 6.2.1. Putting the motorcycle on and off its stand and moving...

              2. 6.2.2. Parking the motorcycle on its stand;

              3. 6.2.3. At least two manoeuvres to be executed at slow speed,...

              4. 6.2.4. At least two manoeuvres to be executed at higher speed,...

              5. 6.2.5. Braking: at least two braking exercises shall be executed, including...

            3. 6.3. Behaviour in traffic

          3. 7. Skills and behaviour to be tested concerning categories B, B1...

            1. 7.1. Preparation and technical check of the vehicle with a bearing...

            2. 7.2. Categories B and B1: special manoeuvres to be tested with...

            3. 7.3. Category BE: special manoeuvres to be tested with a bearing...

              1. 7.3.1. Coupling and uncoupling, or uncoupling and re-coupling a trailer from...

              2. 7.3.2. Reversing along a curve, the line of which shall be...

              3. 7.3.3. Parking safely for loading/unloading.

            4. 7.4. Behaviour in traffic

          4. 8. Skills and behaviour to be tested concerning categories C, CE,...

            1. 8.1. Preparation and technical check of the vehicle with a bearing...

            2. 8.2. Special manoeuvres to be tested with a bearing on road...

              1. 8.2.1. Coupling and uncoupling, or uncoupling and re-coupling a trailer from...

              2. 8.2.2. Reversing along a curve, the line of which shall be...

              3. 8.2.3. Parking safely for loading/unloading at a loading ramp/platform or similar...

              4. 8.2.4. Parking to let passengers on or off the bus safely...

            3. 8.3. Behaviour in traffic

            4. 8.4. Safe and energy-efficient driving

              1. 8.4.1. Driving in such a way as to ensure safety and...

          5. 9. Marking of the test of skills and behaviour

            1. 9.1. For each of the abovementioned driving situations, the assessment must...

            2. 9.2. During their assessment, driving examiners shall pay special attention to...

            3. 9.3. The driving examiner will furthermore assess whether the applicant is:...

          6. 10. Length of the test

          7. 11. Location of the test

      2. II. KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND BEHAVIOUR FOR DRIVING A POWER-DRIVEN VEHICLE

    3. ANNEX III

      MINIMUM STANDARDS OF PHYSICAL AND MENTAL FITNESS FOR DRIVING A POWER-DRIVEN VEHICLE

      1. DEFINITIONS

        1. 1. For the purpose of this Annex, drivers are classified in...

        2. 2. Similarly, applicants for a first driving licence or for the...

      2. MEDICAL EXAMINATIONS

        1. 3. Group 1:

        2. 4. Group 2:

        3. 5. The standards set by Member States for the issue or...

      3. EYESIGHT

        1. 6. All applicants for a driving licence shall undergo an appropriate...

        2. Group 1:

          1. 6.1. Applicants for a driving licence or for the renewal of...

          2. 6.2. Applicants for a driving licence, or for the renewal of...

          3. 6.3. After any recently developed diplopia or after the loss of...

        3. Group 2:

          1. 6.4. Applicants for a driving licence or for the renewal of...

      4. HEARING

        1. 7. Driving licences may be issued to or renewed for applicants...

      5. PERSONS WITH A LOCOMOTOR DISABILITY

        1. 8. Driving licences shall not be issued to or renewed for...

        2. Group 1:

          1. 8.1. Driving licences subject to certain restrictions, if necessary, may be...

          2. 8.2. Driving licences may be issued to or renewed for any...

        3. Group 2:

          1. 8.3. The competent medical authority shall give due consideration to the...

      6. CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASES

        1. 9. Cardiovascular conditions or diseases can lead to a sudden impairment...

        2. 9.1. For the following cardiovascular conditions, driving licences may be issued...

        3. 9.2. For the following cardiovascular conditions, driving licences shall not be...

        4. 9.3. Other cardiomyopathies

        5. 9.4. Member States may restrict the issue or renewal of driving...

      7. DIABETES MELLITUS

        1. 10. In the following paragraphs, a severe hypoglycaemia means that the...

        2. Group 1:

          1. 10.1. Driving licences may be issued to, or renewed for, applicants...

          2. 10.2. An applicant or driver with diabetes treated with medication which...

        3. Group 2:

          1. 10.3. Consideration may be given to the issuing/renewal of group 2...

          2. 10.4. A severe hypoglycaemic event during waking hours, even unrelated to...

      8. NEUROLOGICAL DISEASES AND OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNOEA SYNDROME

        1. NEUROLOGICAL DISEASES

          1. 11.1. Driving licences shall not be issued to, or renewed for,...

        2. OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNOEA SYNDROME

          1. 11.2. In the following paragraphs, a moderate obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome...

          2. 11.3. Applicants or drivers in whom a moderate or severe obstructive...

          3. 11.4. Driving licences may be issued to applicants or drivers with...

          4. 11.5. Applicants or drivers with moderate or severe obstructive sleep apnoea...

      9. EPILEPSY

        1. 12. Epileptic seizures or other sudden disturbances of the state of...

        2. Group 1:

          1. 12.1. Drivers assessed under group 1 with epilepsy should be under...

          2. 12.2. Provoked epileptic seizure: the applicant who has had a provoked...

          3. 12.3. First or single unprovoked seizure: the applicant who has had...

          4. 12.4. Other loss of consciousness: the loss of consciousness should be...

          5. 12.5. Epilepsy: drivers or applicants can be declared fit to drive...

          6. 12.6. Seizures exclusively in sleep: the applicant or driver who has...

          7. 12.7. Seizures without influence on consciousness or the ability to act:...

          8. 12.8. Seizures because of a physician-directed change or reduction of anti-epileptic...

          9. 12.9. After curative epilepsy surgery: see ‘ Epilepsy ’ .

        3. Group 2:

          1. 12.10. The applicant should be without anti-epileptic medication for the required...

          2. 12.11. Provoked epileptic seizure: the applicant who has had a provoked...

          3. 12.12. First or single unprovoked seizure: the applicant who has had...

          4. 12.13. Other loss of consciousness: the loss of consciousness should be...

          5. 12.14. Epilepsy: 10 years freedom from further seizures shall have been...

      10. MENTAL DISORDERS

        1. Group 1:

          1. 13.1. Driving licences shall not be issued to, or renewed for,...

        2. Group 2:

          1. 13.2. The competent medical authority shall give due consideration to the...

      11. ALCOHOL

        1. 14. Alcohol consumption constitutes a major danger to road safety. In...

        2. Group 1:

          1. 14.1. Driving licences shall not be issued to, or renewed for,...

        3. Group 2:

          1. 14.2. The competent medical authority shall give due consideration to the...

      12. DRUGS AND MEDICINAL PRODUCTS

        1. 15. Abuse:

        2. Group 1:

          1. 15.1. Driving licences shall not be issued to, or renewed for,...

        3. Group 2:

          1. 15.2. The competent medical authority shall give due consideration to the...

      13. RENAL DISORDERS

        1. Group 1:

          1. 16.1. Driving licences may be issued or renewed for applicants and...

        2. Group 2:

          1. 16.2. Save in exceptional cases duly justified by authorised medical opinion,...

      14. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

        1. Group 1:

          1. 17.1. Subject to authorised medical opinion and, if necessary, regular medical...

        2. Group 2:

          1. 17.2. The competent medical authority shall give due consideration to the...

          2. 18. As a general rule, where applicants or drivers suffer from...

    4. ANNEX IV

      MINIMUM STANDARDS FOR PERSONS WHO CONDUCT PRACTICAL DRIVING TESTS

      1. 1. Competences required by a driving examiner

        1. 1.1. A person authorised to conduct practical assessments in a motor...

        2. 1.2. The competences of an examiner must be relevant to assessing...

        3. 1.3. Knowledge and understanding of driving and assessment:

        4. 1.4. Assessment skills:

        5. 1.5. Personal driving skills:

        6. 1.6. Quality of service:

        7. 1.7. Knowledge about vehicle technique and physics:

        8. 1.8. Driving in a fuel efficient and environmentally friendly way.

      2. 2. General conditions

        1. 2.1. A category B driving examiner:

        2. 2.2. A driving examiner for the other categories:

        3. 2.3. Equivalences

          1. 2.3.1. Member States may authorise an examiner to conduct driving tests...

          2. 2.3.2. Member States may authorise an examiner to conduct driving tests...

          3. 2.3.3. Member States may authorise an examiner to conduct driving tests...

      3. 3. Initial qualification

        1. 3.1. Initial training

          1. 3.1.1. Before a person may be authorised to conduct driving tests,...

          2. 3.1.2. Member States must determine whether the content of any particular...

        2. 3.2. Examinations

          1. 3.2.1. Before a person may be authorised to conduct driving tests,...

          2. 3.2.2. Member States shall operate an examination process that assesses, in...

          3. 3.2.3. Member States must determine whether the content of any particular...

      4. 4. Quality assurance and periodic training

        1. 4.1. Quality assurance

          1. 4.1.1. Member States shall have in place quality assurance arrangements to...

          2. 4.1.2. Quality assurance arrangements should involve the supervision of examiners at...

          3. 4.1.3. Member States must provide that each examiner is subject to...

          4. 4.1.4 Member States may provide that where an examiner is authorised...

          5. 4.1.5 The work of driving examination must be monitored and supervised...

        2. 4.2. Periodic training

          1. 4.2.1. Member States shall provide that, in order to remain authorised,...

          2. 4.2.2. Member States shall take the appropriate measures for ensuring that...

          3. 4.2.3. The nature of periodic training may take the form of...

          4. 4.2.4. Member States may provide that where an examiner is authorised...

          5. 4.2.5. Where an examiner has not conducted tests for a category...

      5. 5. Acquired rights

        1. 5.1. Member States may allow persons authorised to conduct driving tests...

        2. 5.2. Such examiners are nonetheless subject to the regular supervision and...

    5. ANNEX V

      MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR DRIVER TRAINING AND TESTING FOR COMBINATIONS AS DEFINED IN THE SECOND SUBPARAGRAPH OF ARTICLE 4(4)(B)

      1. 1. Member States shall take the necessary measures to:

      2. 2.1. Duration of driver training

      3. 3. Content of driver training

      4. 4. Duration and contents of the test of skills and behaviour...

      5. The length of the test and the distance travelled must...

    6. ANNEX VI

      MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR DRIVER TRAINING AND TESTING FOR MOTORCYCLES WITHIN CATEGORY A (PROGRESSIVE ACCESS)

      1. 1. Member States shall take the necessary measures to:

      2. 2. Duration of driver training

      3. 3. Content of driver training

      4. 4. Duration and contents of the test of skills and behaviour...

      5. The length of the test and the distance travelled must...

    7. ANNEX VII

      1. Part A

        1. REPEALED DIRECTIVE AS SUCCESSIVELY AMENDED (referred to in Article 17)

      2. Part B

        1. DEADLINES FOR TRANSPOSITION INTO NATIONAL LAW AND FOR APPLICATION (referred to in Article 17)

    8. ANNEX VIII

      CORRELATION TABLE

Back to top

Options/Help

Print Options

You have chosen to open the Whole Directive

The Whole Directive you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download. You may also experience some issues with your browser, such as an alert box that a script is taking a long time to run.

Would you like to continue?

You have chosen to open Schedules only

The Schedules you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download. You may also experience some issues with your browser, such as an alert box that a script is taking a long time to run.

Would you like to continue?

Close

Legislation is available in different versions:

Latest Available (revised):The latest available updated version of the legislation incorporating changes made by subsequent legislation and applied by our editorial team. Changes we have not yet applied to the text, can be found in the ‘Changes to Legislation’ area.

Original (As adopted by EU): The original version of the legislation as it stood when it was first adopted in the EU. No changes have been applied to the text.

Close

Opening Options

Different options to open legislation in order to view more content on screen at once

Close

More Resources

Access essential accompanying documents and information for this legislation item from this tab. Dependent on the legislation item being viewed this may include:

  • the original print PDF of the as adopted version that was used for the EU Official Journal
  • lists of changes made by and/or affecting this legislation item
  • all formats of all associated documents
  • correction slips
  • links to related legislation and further information resources
Close

Timeline of Changes

This timeline shows the different versions taken from EUR-Lex before exit day and during the implementation period as well as any subsequent versions created after the implementation period as a result of changes made by UK legislation.

The dates for the EU versions are taken from the document dates on EUR-Lex and may not always coincide with when the changes came into force for the document.

For any versions created after the implementation period as a result of changes made by UK legislation the date will coincide with the earliest date on which the change (e.g an insertion, a repeal or a substitution) that was applied came into force. For further information see our guide to revised legislation on Understanding Legislation.

Close

More Resources

Use this menu to access essential accompanying documents and information for this legislation item. Dependent on the legislation item being viewed this may include:

  • the original print PDF of the as adopted version that was used for the print copy
  • correction slips

Click 'View More' or select 'More Resources' tab for additional information including:

  • lists of changes made by and/or affecting this legislation item
  • confers power and blanket amendment details
  • all formats of all associated documents
  • links to related legislation and further information resources